F150 Repair Advice...

[Catter]

Something is terribly wrong with preventative maintenance on any vehicle since 2000, that can't make 200K without being wrenched on, I have never touched an engine on anything since then before it's had 250K on the dial.

that includes trucks and cars, economy to PU and the largest SUV's. my newest vehicle is a 2009 HHR with 168K, plugs tires and brakes, are all any have needed except a fuel pump on a 1999 Suburban at 225K mi.

I change the oil once a year with premium Amsoil, and their filter, and do air and fuel every 50K, Thats it.

 

[tp308]

Something is terribly wrong with preventative maintenance on any vehicle since 2000, that can't make 200K without being wrenched on, I have never touched an engine on anything since then before it's had 250K on the dial.

that includes trucks and cars, economy to PU and the largest SUV's. my newest vehicle is a 2009 HHR with 168K, plugs tires and brakes, are all any have needed except a fuel pump on a 1999 Suburban at 225K mi.

I change the oil once a year with premium Amsoil, and their filter, and do air and fuel every 50K, Thats it

Something is terribly wrong with preventative maintenance on any vehicle since 2000, that can't make 200K without being wrenched on, I have never touched an engine on anything since then before it's had 250K on the dial.

that includes trucks and cars, economy to PU and the largest SUV's. my newest vehicle is a 2009 HHR with 168K, plugs tires and brakes, are all any have needed except a fuel pump on a 1999 Suburban at 225K mi.

I change the oil once a year with premium Amsoil, and their filter, and do air and fuel every 50K, Thats it.

Appreciate the well thought out response... truthfully, I've had vehicles over the course of my 30 years of driving that fit that description (mostly Toyotas & Hondas) and some that haven't. On this particular F-150 I can honestly say that I've faithfully followed the maintenance schedules to the letter... I think that's what is actually adding to this frustration.

 

[Thinkingman]

Dont do this...ever.
One of the best ways to have diagnostics cost more and take more time is to withhold information that I then have to call and pry out of you when I find that repairs that were done elsewhere and need to know the history of whos hands were where and what's the original issue was before someone else dicked it up and created more problems.
A good way to piss off technicians and shop owners. We don't go to work to play stupid games of "guess what the other guy tried that didnt fix it without me telling you" I've fired customers for this type of nonsense.
That whole honesty thing is a two way street...people try to setup and pull shit over on repair facilties too...happens more than you'd think.
If you take it somewhere else be upfront about the history and what's going on, it'll make everyone's experience more pleasant.

Couldn't disagree with this more.
Pulling in to a new shop and 'interviewing' the owner/tech will tell you a lot about how they approach the problem and the customer relationship.
Do they assume you're a dumbass and will pay whatever they will quote?
Do they quote book rate when they know they can accomplish the repair in much less time?
Do they start throwing parts at a problem instead of thoughtful diagnostics?
Do they make assumptions or are they inquisitive?
I treat it like going to a new doctor.
I also do a lot of my own repairs because of this.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Swap it out for a 5.0 instead of an eco boost…like it should have been from the start


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I dunno. I gotta 7cyl 5.0 with 120k on it parked out back right now.

 

[Jake Larsen]

I dunno. I gotta 7cyl 5.0 with 120k on it parked out back right now.

Anything can happen, especially if it’s not taken care of, and there’s always duds. But all in all, the 5.0 is widely considered to be one of the most reliable truck engines available…far more so than any of the eco boosts. My parents have one with 340k on it, no major issues.


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[StuckInTheEast]

Couldn't disagree with this more.
Pulling in to a new shop and 'interviewing' the owner/tech will tell you a lot about how they approach the problem and the customer relationship.
Do they assume you're a dumbass and will pay whatever they will quote?
Do they quote book rate when they know they can accomplish the repair in much less time?
Do they start throwing parts at a problem instead of thoughtful diagnostics?
Do they make assumptions or are they inquisitive?
I treat it like going to a new doctor.
I also do a lot of my own repairs because of this.

I'd love to know what your "interview" questions would be.
Not sure what that's got to do with the asinine thinking that intentionally withholding information relative to the service history of the vehicle...which obviously a new to you shop will have none of...is going to help you at all somehow

And FYI...for every one of those jobs that a tech learns how to do under book time, they get burned on 3 others for a multitude of other reasons out of their control...the labor time guides are precisely that...guides...like the pirate code...you know more guidelines than actual rules.
Not to mention that just because I can do work faster than the average guy cause I've buster my ass to learn how to do so and am exceptionally diligent and well educated doesn't mean the customer is getting a break due to my above average skill set...
What's your profession?

 

[Thinkingman]

I'd love to know what your "interview" questions would be.
Not sure what that's got to do with the asinine thinking that intentionally withholding information relative to the service history of the vehicle...which obviously a new to you shop will have none of...is going to help you at all somehow

And FYI...for every one of those jobs that a tech learns how to do under book time, they get burned on 3 others for a multitude of other reasons out of their control...the labor time guides are precisely that...guides...like the pirate code...you know more guidelines than actual rules.
Not to mention that just because I can do work faster than the average guy cause I've buster my ass to learn how to do so and am exceptionally diligent and well educated doesn't mean the customer is getting a break due to my above average skill set...
What's your profession?

I'm a negotiator.
I get paid to sniff out BS.

 

[StuckInTheEast]

I'm a negotiator.
I get paid to sniff out BS.

So are you saying your the type that thinks everyone is out to screw you over or rip you off at right off the rip....or they are incompetent at their job until you prove to your self they arent? You know, guilty till proven innocent? Honest question, not a jab.

I'm still waiting to hear those interview questions though. Not judging just genuine curiosity.

 

[TaperPin]

I love it when someone asks for help, but I wasn’t their first call and cousin Eddy has readjusted something, aunt Betty’s girlfriend has been throwing parts at it because she hates all men especially mechanics, Billy Bob has been cranking it over so much the starter is fried, the owner’s dad said she should pull all the fusses and relays to get a good look at them and many aren’t back in the correct location, and the boyfriend got drunk and started unwrapping the wiring harness. I’m supposed to guess and troubleshoot the entire car and everything jacked up by others. lol

 

[AKBC]

I would ask the guy for the compression he measured for every cylinder. Compression readings tell a lot about engines and can often allow diagnosing a bad valve (and therefore just needing a head job) or ring wear/bad pistons. As someone else said, compression checks are relatively simple and quick and if he's saying you have bad compression I would want to see the numbers.

I had a guy who wanted to buy a boat from me that had a strong performing engine. He was smart and did a compression check and there was an issue developing that he found. I was happy I didnt sell him a problem. He said he does a compression check of every gas engine he buys, snowmachine, lawnmower, cars, etc.

I would recommend that when folks are having an issue with any engine over 100K miles, they should pay for a compression test first before dumping $5-6K into the vehicle.

 

[StuckInTheEast]

I love it when someone asks for help, but I wasn’t their first call and cousin Eddy has readjusted something, aunt Betty’s girlfriend has been throwing parts at it because she hates all men especially mechanics, Billy Bob has been cranking it over so much the starter is fried, the owner’s dad said she should pull all the fusses and relays to get a good look at them and many aren’t back in the correct location, and the boyfriend got drunk and started unwrapping the wiring harness. I’m supposed to guess and troubleshoot the entire car and everything jacked up by others. lol

I can do all this...but it's gonna go alot faster if I get the whole story upfront is all I'm saying

 

[woods89]

Dont do this...ever.
One of the best ways to have diagnostics cost more and take more time is to withhold information that I then have to call and pry out of you when I find that repairs that were done elsewhere and need to know the history of whos hands were where and what's the original issue was before someone else dicked it up and created more problems.
A good way to piss off technicians and shop owners. We don't go to work to play stupid games of "guess what the other guy tried that didnt fix it without me telling you" I've fired customers for this type of nonsense.
That whole honesty thing is a two way street...people try to setup and pull shit over on repair facilties too...happens more than you'd think.
If you take it somewhere else be upfront about the history and what's going on, it'll make everyone's experience more pleasant.

I'd agree with a lot of this. People don't realize this, but the days of being able to manipulate tradesmen are fast disappearing, because most people need the tradesman worse than the tradesman needs them.

Do your homework before you show up at the shop. Also know this, there is no free lunch, and you can't price shop and get the best shop/crew in the area, generally.

Everyone will tell you they want their contractor/mechanic/etc to be upfront with them, it should follow then that you must be upfront as well. I'm in construction, but a lot of the same dynamics apply. The good companies are auditing potential customers just like customers are auditing them, and if you play games, don't be surprised if you get the "I don't think you're a good fit for our company."

It's not that we don't appreciate our customers, most of us do very much, but with current demand we have to be somewhat selective.

 

[Thinkingman]

So are you saying your the type that thinks everyone is out to screw you over or rip you off at right off the rip....or they are incompetent at their job until you prove to your self they arent? You know, guilty till proven innocent? Honest question, not a jab.

I'm still waiting to hear those interview questions though. Not judging just genuine curiosity.

I think the cynical approach has served me well over 60 years of walking this earth.
Yes, most people, especially when their first statements are one of an expert/authority on the matter-are revealing an immediate tell that they're compensating for a lack of actual knowledge on a subject.
Actual subject matter experts ask more questions than state what they know.
It's a sign of intelligence.
Whether you like it or not, or just have so much work now and forever, that you don't need to be deemed qualified to earn my money, that's how I approach any contractor, whether it's to roof my house or perform heart surgery or fix my car.
Prove to me you're not just going to take my money and leave me an expensive mess that I need to spend more time, money and aggravation to fix.
The auto mechanic world is full of parts-changers.
I'm looking for intelligent problem-solvers.

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

Couldn't disagree with this more.
Pulling in to a new shop and 'interviewing' the owner/tech will tell you a lot about how they approach the problem and the customer relationship.
Do they assume you're a dumbass and will pay whatever they will quote?
Do they quote book rate when they know they can accomplish the repair in much less time?
Do they start throwing parts at a problem instead of thoughtful diagnostics?
Do they make assumptions or are they inquisitive?
I treat it like going to a new doctor.
I also do a lot of my own repairs because of this.

Don't bring your dog to me for a second opinion.

 

[TaperPin]

I'd agree with a lot of this. People don't realize this, but the days of being able to manipulate tradesmen are fast disappearing, because most people need the tradesman worse than the tradesman needs them.

Do your homework before you show up at the shop. Also know this, there is no free lunch, and you can't price shop and get the best shop/crew in the area, generally.

Everyone will tell you they want their contractor/mechanic/etc to be upfront with them, it should follow then that you must be upfront as well. I'm in construction, but a lot of the same dynamics apply. The good companies are auditing potential customers just like customers are auditing them, and if you play games, don't be surprised if you get the "I don't think you're a good fit for our company."

It's not that we don't appreciate our customers, most of us do very much, but with current demand we have to be somewhat selective.

Well said. Construction customers don’t realize we see the same behaviors over and over - if something seems fishy it probably is. Even the slightest weird thing on my side jobs upped my bids by 10% and the worst cases I used to think 25% higher bids were enough to cover the hassle that are guaranteed to come up down the road, but the last 5 years before retiring just firing them as a customer was a much less stressful alternative.

As a young guy I was on a crew that used all the finish carpenters to install and pour ICF foundations. We had a house jacked up, footings in and a dude stopped by to check on what we were doing to his house that was being sold to our client, but hadn’t closed yet. The contractor we worked for hadn’t checked that the client actually owned it, so it was all hands on deck and nobody went home until the walls were poured and he could be billed. Lol